# The Reticular Formation --- The **reticular formation** is a loosely organized mass of [[neural tissue|gray matter]] that extends throughout much of the [[brain]]. The reticular formation is like a communication network that is constantly firing so that it maintains many constant, low level functions of the brain and body. It helps maintain [[muscle tone]] (especially at rest, such as what keeps you standing upright when you're not moving), and it assists the [[autonomic nervous system|autonomic]] system's functions such as [[respiratory system|respiration]], [[blood pressure]], and [[heart rate]]. The reticular formation also helps to maintain our [[consciousness]]. For example, when a boxer is hit such that there is a disruption to the reticular formation, this results in a loss of consciousness. It also has a [[afferent nervous system|sensory]] role, in the form of the **reticular activating system** or **RAS**. This RAS keeps up our general senses of our environment flowing into the appropriate parts of the brain. For example, this is what lets us hear an alarm clock even when we are sleeping. Conversely, allowing the RAS to calm down, such as removing lights or sounds from a room, can help us [[sleep]]. ![[reticular formation.png]] ___